Administration to ban heavy vehicles on Hussainabad road from May 1

The diversion would cut off the load from the existing road, bringing the much needed relief to the dilapidated structures which largely includes Rumi Gate, another 18th-century heritage structure that is considered to be the most vulnerable one.

lucknowUpdated: Apr 29, 2017 12:31 IST

HT Correspondent Lucknow, Hindustan Times

The stretch from Tile Wali Masjid to Chhota Imambada will be a no-entry zone for heavy vehicles. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT Photo)

In order to give fresh lease of life to the nawabi era structures on the main Hussainabad Road, district administration is going to ban the movement of heavy vehicles here from May 1 onwards.

Officials said, the stretch connecting ‘Tile wali Masjid’ to Chhota Imambara via Rumi Darwaza would be the ‘no entry’ area for the heavy vehicles. They said the entire load of the heavy vehicles would be diverted on the alternate road that is almost ready. It runs almost parallel to the existing road and connects Tile Wali Masjid to Kudiya Ghat.

Officials said, the diversion would cut off the load from the existing road, bringing the much needed relief to the dilapidated structures on the road. It largely includes Rumi Gate, another 18th-century heritage structure that is considered to be the most vulnerable one. “Pollution and vibration emanating from the vehicles are the two main factors that badly affect the nearby monuments. Hence, putting a ban on the movement of vehicles will surely add longevity to the monuments,” said Yogesh Praveen, a renowned historian.

It was in 1998, the cracks on the Rumi Darwaza first appeared that prompted the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the heritage enthusiasts to ban the movement of heavy vehicles passing from there. Though ASI had carried out the repair work, its officials said it was too less to repair the damage.

“Indeed, it’s a good step. It will not only check pollution but will also minimize the vehicular vibrations that are damaging the monuments,” said NK Pathak, superintending archaeologist, Lucknow circle ASI.

A few officials also said that decision makers are also giving a thought to the idea of making the stretch a ‘no vehicle zone’. It is said that banning of the vehicle movement would bring back the glory of Nawabi era, when this road—the Hussainabad stretch used to be a private road and was not opened for vehicular movement.

JS Dubey, ADM West said, the alternate road that connects Tile Wali Masjid to Kudiya Ghat is almost final. However, the administration is yet to decide the date of traffic diversion.